WOODCARVING & ACCESSORIES

Just What Does FSC Certified Wood Mean?

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, non-governmental charitable organisation, established in 1993 to encourage responsible management of all of the Earth’s forests. Different countries have divisions of the organisation working in them.

The main benefit of the FSC is that forests are protected for future generations and people know that when acquiring wood that is FSC certified, they are not contributing to deforestation and climate change.

Deforestation is a serious problem for the entire world. If forests aren’t properly controlled, we could wind up losing an irreplaceable and critical part of the world’s ecosystem. This needless to say would be a problem on a world scale and one that we must avoid.

Illegally operating logging is a part of the problem. People desperate for money chop down virgin forest and clear trees faster than they can be replaced. No respect is given to regional wildlife or native peoples that count on the forest for all of their needs. Unfortunately some of this wood will find its way into the UK where customers are sometimes ignorant as to where the wood has come from.

People can trust the FSC labelling of wood. The certification refers to forest management and chain of custody. A properly managed forest will be maintained with consideration for wildlife, people and the environment and trees that have been cut down will be replaced by natural means or replanted. Sections of the forest will be protected from logging to protect the rare plants and animals that happen to be part of it and to protect sacred sites of native people. Workers will be acquired locally, trained properly and paid fairly.

The chain of custody monitors the movement of the wood from forest to end supplier. Every link along the way is monitored and certified to ensure that everyone is compliant with the FSC’s priciples.

Consumers will see the FSC logo (a tree which has a tick) on anything from wooden furniture, cedar cladding and oak beams to charcoal and venison.

If you are purchasing wood or wooden producs, make certain they include the FSC logo and this means that you will be sure to have an ecologically sound product.
Black History Artist Alvin Outlaw–Mules, Carvings.m4v